Wound assessment: measuring the area of a leg ulcer.

As part of an holistic and systematic assessment, the area of a leg ulcer can be a useful measurement for evaluating the wound repair process. The treatment of a chronic leg ulcer can, if not monitored, become a sequence of dressings and bandaging. Thus, a timely recognition of improvement or deterioration of the wound condition may be overlooked. Area change often depends upon the original size and pathology of the ulcer as well as the treatment method. Perhaps the most important factor which can be derived from area measurements is the rate of area change. Measurements taken at regular intervals give a good indication of a wound's healing progress. Computer technology can be used to assist in accurate area measurement. This information gives the clinician vital information on the treatment's efficacy and the data can be used for further statistical or case study analysis.